Strong
finishing can make all the difference
between good scoring chances
and goals. Developing solid
shooting skills involves a small
list of mechanical and mental
items to perfect.
First,
teach your players how to strike
the ball correctly. The non-shooting
foot should be planted even
with the ball, and when they
strike the ball their head should
be down, as well as their toe.
Next,
they should understand shots
should be kept on the goal,
rather than over it. Low shots
are preferable to elevated one
and obviously into the corners
away from the goalie is always
best. Of course there is nothing
wrong with missing wide, (that
is, unless you have the goalie
juked out of his shorts a foot
from the goal and still miss)
but shooting over should be
avoided at all costs.
It
is often said that the only
bad shot in the one you don’t
take, because you can’t
score if you don’t shoot.
However, it is also important
for players to strike the ball
properly and take low powerful
shots to the corners. Encourage
them to take shots, but also
not to waste opportunities.
Taking a low probability shot
from far away can be incorrect
if a teammate is open and likely
to get a better shot. By the
same token, dribbling too long
and losing the ball before taking
a shot is worse, so if it comes
down to not taking a shot or
taking a shot, take a shot,
but make sure it is on point
with something behind it.
